from detroit for this week's commemoration and brought her granddaughters with her. >> i wanted my granddaughter to see what i saw 50 years ago. to stand up for what's right. >> reporter: the struggles then and those to come draw john lewis back as well. you still come here often. why? >> oh, yes. because i come here to reflect, to remember. >> reporter: remembering his old friend, and the day that both made history and changed it. >> this spot is almost sacred. dr. king must be looked upon as one of the founding fours of the new america. lewis believes america has come far in 50 years. many issues still exist. progress, he says, just a down payment on the dream. what was at stake that day? >> the future of america as one nation. as one people. it was at stake. he helped hold us together. >> reporter: is there one moment from that day that sticks out most? >> he started saying let freedom ring. let freedom ring. from stone mountain of georgia, let freedom ring. from every mole hill -- >> from mississippi, from every mountainside -- >> let freedom ring. and i think people all across america in th